The Andy Chapman Collection - Part II, 1981 Ducati 864cc Mike Hailwood Replica

• UK-registered since 2002
• Present ownership since 2017
• 5,038 kilometres recorded
• Requires recommissioning

A landmark model that kept Ducati afloat during the 1980s, the Hailwood Replica owes its existence to Mike's legendary Isle of Man TT comeback victory in the 1978 Production Race riding an ex-works NCR bike entered and prepared by Manchester-based Ducati dealer, Sports Motor Cycles. Out of top-flight bike racing for seven years and away from the Island for eleven, Mike took on and beat the might of the Honda works team to win the Formula 1 TT at record speed. Ducati lost little time in capitalising on this outstanding success, launching a road-going replica the following year.

Like the race-bike, the MHR was based on the production 900SS, but - inevitably - had much more in common with the latter than the former. Most obvious difference was the full fairing finished in red, green and white, complemented by a glassfibre tank and racing seat. In fact, on the very earliest examples the 'tank' hid a steel fuel reservoir, glassfibre being illegal in the UK for tanks. Mechanical changes were confined to lighter wheels, usually by Campagnolo, and improved Brembo brakes, while the MHR's performance was pretty much the same as that of the 900SS: around 135mph flat-out.

Destined mainly for the UK market, the first 200 MHRs came with two separate seats: one solo, the other a dual seat, whereas later versions had a single 'convertible' solo/dual seat. These first 200 MHRs also came with a glassfibre cover over the standard 900SS tank, which replicated the shape of the NCR tank. For subsequent MHRs there was a 24-litre steel tank unique to the model. The lack of any side covers is another distinctive feature of very early MHRs such as this one.

Currently displaying a total of 5,038 kilometres on the odometer (at the time of cataloguing/photography), this Mike Hailwood Replica was previously registered and/or used overseas and first registered in the UK on 26th February 2002. The current owner acquired the Ducati in June 2017. The machine is offered with a 2017 sales invoice, photocopy old V5 and current V5C documents. It should be noted that the engine number has been read upside down and recorded on the V5C as '016160', and the 'DM' frame prefix has been omitted.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent, or possibly more extensive restoration, before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed.
Offered with key